2011 NFL Mock Draft: Mocking the Complete First Round with Teams' Needs 3.0
The 2011 NFL draft countdown is just less than seven days away, and mock drafts are being released left and right.
This is the third version of my mock draft as I evaluate each and every team's need and which player is the best fit.
I'll give everyone a quick sneak peak into my newest mock: "How far will Mark Ingram fall?"
Before you begin to read, I have stated several times before that I am not an expert, but I consider myself an expert fan—a fan with strong insight and great knowledge of the NFL.
I hope you all enjoy—be sure to give me some feedback!
This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @ TonySantorsa.
1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
1 of 32
Needs: QB, DT, CB, OLB, TE
The current buzz on the internet and throughout the league is that Auburn's Cam Newton is likely to be the first overall selection in the 2011 NFL Draft.
The Carolina Panthers already have a young quarterback in Jimmy Clausen, but with a new coaching staff, the Panthers may be moving in a different direction without Clausen.
Carolina has many holes on both sides of the ball, and even though Newton may not be the biggest first-year-impact kind of guy, he's definitely got the most upside for the future.
2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
2 of 32
Needs: DT, ILB, TE, S, QB
If Marcell Dareus isn't the first overall pick, then the Denver Broncos will gladly draft him at second overall.
Dareus, in my opinion, is by far the most NFL-ready player and will be a first-year-impact player right off of the bat. Dareus will add some much needed stability to Denver's very mediocre defensive front seven.
3. Buffalo Bills: Von Miller, Outside Linebacker, Texas A&M
3 of 32
Needs: LOT, OLB, QB, DE, TE
The Buffalo Bills, under second-year head coach Chan Gailey, certainly struggled in the transition to the 3-4 defense last season. The Bills had little to no pass rush every game, and will need to upgrade at that position in order to effectively run the 3-4 defense.
Texas A&M's Von Miller is definitely a "no-brainer" here, as he's the draft's top pass rusher.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, Wide Receiver, Georgia
4 of 32
Needs: QB, WR, DT, OT, RB
The Cincinnati Bengals definitely have a huge question mark at the quarterback position, however, A.J. Green is just too much of a talent to pass on.
If Green is selected, I'd expect the Bengals to look towards getting a latter first round pick or a high second round pick to snag Ryan Mallett, Christian Ponder, or Andy Dalton.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Blaine Gabbert, Quarterback, Missouri
5 of 32
Needs: QB, OLB, OT/OG, TE, CB
If either Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert are still available when the Arizona Cardinals are on the board, they'll draft either one in a heartbeat.
Arizona desperately needs a quarterback, and Gabbert is the top quarterback available, and certainly addresses their biggest concern.
6. Cleveland Browns: Robert Quinn, Defensive End, North Carolina
6 of 32
Needs: DE, WR, DT, CB, S
No matter how attractive wide receiver A.J. Green is, the Cleveland Browns desperately need a defensive end.
The Browns literally have no starting defensive ends as they transition to a 4-3 defense with the departure of Rob Ryan's 3-4 defensive system.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Peterson, Cornerback, LSU
7 of 32
Needs: QB, NT, CB, OLB, WR
At least, the 2011 NFL draft's most talented and freakish athlete is selected.
If Patrick Peterson is still around at seventh overall, the 49ers will definitely draft him—Peterson, in my opinion, is the draft's top prospect; this is a major steal.
8. Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley, Defensive Tackle, Auburn
8 of 32
Needs: QB, DT, ILB, OG, CB
Auburn's Nick Fairley is arguably the most talented defensive tackle in this draft class, and he certainly has a lot of upside.
Last draft, the Titans went out and selected defensive end Derrick Morgan, and Fairley would be a nice addition alongside him.
9. Dallas Cowboys: Prince Amukamara, Cornerback, Nebraska
9 of 32
Needs: DE, OT, S, ILB, CB
Despite common belief, the Dallas Cowboys will not be selecting USC's Tyron Smith if Prince Amukamara is available.
The Cowboys need help in the secondary, and Amukamara is definitely a decent consolation prize once Patrick Peterson is off of the board.
10. Washington Redskins: Julio Jones, Wide Receiver, Alabama
10 of 32
Needs: QB, NT, WR, OLB, OG/OT
I really don't see Washington staying at this pick. I have a gut feeling Mike Shanahan is going to package this pick up for a couple of second and third round selections.
If the Redskins do stay here at 10th overall though, Julio Jones is quite the pick.
11. Houston Texans: Cameron Jordan, Defensive End, California
11 of 32
Needs: OLB, DE/NT, CB, FS, SS
The Houston Texans recently hired Wade Phillips to be their new defensive coordinator, which means he will be installing his 3-4 defensive system.
Cameron Jordan is the top 3-4 defensive end prospect available and will flourish in Phillips' 3-4 defense.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Tyron Smith, Offensive Tackle, USC
12 of 32
Needs: QB, FS, OT, DE, C
The Minnesota Vikings desperately need a quarterback, but none are worthy of being selected 12th overall.
USC's Tyron Smith seems like a smart decision here by the Vikings; he's got a lot of upside and continues to get stronger and stronger.
13. Detroit Lions: J.J. Watt, Defensive End, Wisconsin
13 of 32
Needs: CB, LB, OT, DE
Wisconsin's J.J. Watt would be a great asset to Detroit's up and coming defense.
Watt is very athletic, a solid pass rusher and can move inside when the Lions are in a nickel package, which is always a plus.
14. St. Louis Rams: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
14 of 32
Needs: WR, OLB, DT, RB, OG
I think it's safe to say that if wide receiver Julio Jones is not available at this point, the St. Louis Rams will trade back a few picks as there aren't too many prospects who offer much value.
However, I strongly believe that if Illinois' defensive tackle Corey Liuget is the best available for the Rams at this point, they will trade out of this pick.
15. Miami Dolphins: Mike Pouncey, Offensive Guard, Florida
15 of 32
Needs: RB, OG, QB, FS, ILB
I was never sold on the idea of the Miami Dolphins selecting running back Mark Ingram at 15th overall, especially with his questionable knee concerns.
Florida's Mike Pouncey would be a nice selection by the Dolphins at this point, as he's the best player available to fit their needs.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Da'Quan Bowers, Defensive End, Clemson
16 of 32
Needs: FS, OLB, WR, DE, QB
The Jacksonville Jaguars definitely need help in the pass rushing department and Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers is by far the most talented player available.
Despite the concern regarding Bowers' right knee, he is the best player available—if he's healthy, this will be considered one of the biggest steals of all-time.
17. New England Patriots: Anthony Castonzo, Offensive Tackle, Boston College
17 of 32
Needs: OLB, DE, OT, OG, RB
The New England Patriots will likely sit at this pick until the last minute as they'll trade to trade it away.
However, if Bill Belichick and company decide to stay, Boston College's Anthony Castonzo will be their choice. The Patriots have huge concerns at the left side of their offensive line, and Castonzo could jump right in and be the team's starting left tackle in 2011.
18. San Diego Chargers: Aldon Smith, Defensive End, Missouri
18 of 32
Needs: DE, ILB, OLB, ROT, NT
San Diego could use a lot of help on their defensive front, as they need to add some more depth.
Missouri's Aldon Smith is the best defensive end available, and could definitely bolster their pass rush.
19. New York Giants: Gabe Carimi, Offensive Tackle, Wisconsin
19 of 32
Needs: OLB, MLB, C, TE, RB, OL
The New York Giants' offensive line was exposed last year due to injury, and they'll need to address it moving forward.
Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi is the best available offensive lineman, and would add some much needed depth to New York's offensive line.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Adrian Clayborn
20 of 32
Needs: DE, MLB, CB, OLB, RB
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers still have some work to do on their defensive front seven.
Iowa's Adrian Clayborn would be a nice building block for the future to go along with defensive linemen Gerald McCoy and Brian Price.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Akeem Ayers, Outside Linebacker, UCLA
21 of 32
Needs: WR, NT, ROT, ILB, OLB
The Kansas City Chiefs could use some help at the outside linebacker position to go along with pass rusher, Tamba Hali.
UCLA's Akeem Ayers is a well-rounded outside linebacker who can drop down in a three-point stance, drop back in pass coverage, and still be a run stopper.
22. Indianapolis Colts: Nate Solder, Offensive Tackle, Colorado
22 of 32
Needs: OT, OT, DT, CB, SS
The Indianapolis Colts allowed the fewest amount of sacks last season, but still need to add some depth at the offensive tackle position.
Colorado's Nate Solder would be a nice project moving forward as they could develop him into a starting left tackle.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Jimmy Smith, Cornerback, Colorado
23 of 32
Needs: CB, ILB, OG, OT, TE
If it weren't for so many character concerns, Colorado's Jimmy Smith would be a much higher draft pick due to his very impressive skill-set.
The Philadelphia Eagles are in search of a number two cornerback to start opposite of Asante Samuel, and Smith appears to be the best guy available.
24. New Orleans Saints: Muhammad Wilkerson, Defensive Lineman, Temple
24 of 32
Needs: DE, OLB, SS, DT, RB
The New Orleans Saints have an aging defensive line and Temple's Muhammad Wilkerson is by far the smartest prospect available.
Wilkerson can play multiple positions along the defensive line in the 4-3, as he is one of the more athletic defensive linemen in the 2011 draft class.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Jake Locker, Quarterback, Washington
25 of 32
Needs: OT, QB, OG, OLB, CB
The Seattle Seahawks will likely stay local if Washington quarterback Jake Locker is available.
Seahawks' head coach Pete Carroll is very familiar with Locker, as he was head coach at USC and played against Locker several times as they're both PAC-10 products.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Derek Sherrod, Offensive Tackle, Mississippi State
26 of 32
Needs: CB, WR, OT, DE, S
As offensive tackle is listed as one of Baltimore's major needs, and offensive tackle Derek Sherrod is the best player available.
Sherrod is quite the prospect and offers a lot of upside and could very well be a NFL starter in a couple of seasons.
27. Atlanta Falcons: Mark Ingram, Running Back, Alabama
27 of 32
Needs: DE, OLB, OL, RB, TE, CB
This is a rather interesting scenario if the Atlanta Falcons select Alabama's Mark Ingram.
The Falcons already have Michael Turner, but Ingram could take many of Turner's carriers which would allow both players to be "fresh." Some may speculate that this is a terrible idea, but I see it as a great way to put an already strong running game over the top.
28. New England Patriots: Ryan Kerrigan, Defensive / Outside Linebacker, Purdue
28 of 32
Needs: OLB, DE, OT, OG, RB
Many scouts may feel that Kerrigan just isn't big enough for the next level, but he fits perfectly in New England's 3-4 defensive system.
Kerrigan is one of the most versatile players in the draft, and would address New England's issues at defensive end and pass rusher. Kerrigan can rush like an end, but has the athleticism to drop back into coverage if he has to.
29. Chicago Bears: Phil Taylor, Defensive Linemen, Baylor
29 of 32
Needs: OL, DT, WR, OLB
The best player available at this point who fits Chicago's needs is Baylor defensive tackle, Phil Taylor.
Taylor is a massive object to put in the middle of your defensive line. He is an anchor and demands double-teams nearly every play.
30. New York Jets: Justin Houston, Outside Linebacker, Georgia
30 of 32
Needs: OLB, NT, DE, WR, OL
It's pretty simply for the New York Jets: take the best available.
The Jets need help in the pass rushing department, and Georgia's Justin Houston is the most versatile and best player available.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Danny Watkins, Offensive Guard, Baylor
31 of 32
Needs: OG, CB, OT, NT, WR
The Pittsburgh Steelers could use a little help at the offensive guard position, and Baylor's Danny Watkins is by far the best available.
Watkins is a decent sized guard, and is strong against the run and good against the pass—all in all, it's a safe, smart decision.
32. Green Bay Packers: Mikel Leshoure, Running Back, Illinois
32 of 32
Needs: DE, OLB, OG, WR, RB
The Green Bay Packers are the most complete team in the NFL, and they only need to add depth at various positions—one being running back.
Last season, the Packers suffered a huge loss to their offense with a season-ending knee injury to Ryan Grant and they became vulnerable when they had to run the ball. Illinois' Leshoure is the second best running back, or the best according to many scouts, and he appears to be the more logical selection for the Packers.
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